First of all, if you don’t laugh when you see or hear this product’s name, Chicken Poop Lip Junk - I have serious doubts about whether you have a sense of humor.  Everything from the name, marketing, web address (www.ilovechickenpoop.com) is hilarious (IMHO, of course!).  There is however one thing the company is actually serious about and its their ingredients - very simple, yet very effective.  Confession: I don’t like this product as a lip balm though - its much too lavender-y for lips.  I’m talking knock-my-organic-socks-off-and-feel-like-I’ve-been-chewing-on-lavender-plants-for-days lip balm - so if you like that kind of thing, go for it!  It is however perfect as an all-purpose and mighty convenient on-the-go stick to heal and/or soothe cuts, scrapes or bug bites (my personal fave).  The twist up tube doesn’t take up any space in my bag or bathroom drawer and its ideal to dab on mosquito bites to take the sting right out.  And the good news?  Its totally affordable at just $2.99 a tube and it is sure to be the topic of many conversations!

From the heart of France comes a propreity blend of organic french red grapes, bottled by ReserveAge - a company committed to naturally extending youth.  Resveratrol has been popping up in beauty products since its known as a powerful anti-ager, but now you can get the benefits of it via these convenient supplements (1-2 vegetarian capsules daily).  Made with certified organic ingredients, this pure, beneficial and active trans-resveratrol has been proven to the SIRT1 longevity gene, provide fast cell rejuvenation and offer maximum antioxidant protection.

*These statements have no been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. 

Horst Rechelbacher, founder of Aveda, had something to prove.  As a hair genius, organic farmer and environmentalist - he set out to create one of the most pure luxury skin care lines available, then he took it a step further and created it with all skin types in mind, but especially those concerned about aging (the majority of women over thirty).

For over two months I’ve been using his USDA Certified Organic skin care range, Intelligent Nutrients and I can’t stop raving about it!!  The superstar product for me is the Anti-Aging Serum.  If there’s one question I’m asked the most, its probably if I can recommend a skin care line that will help skin that is both acne-prone and dry and/or acne-prone and anti-aging.  I haven’t been able to answer this with total certainty until I used this range.  The combination of the Cleanser, Mist, Serum and Moisture make my skin feel healthy, rejuvenated, hydrated and refreshed.  I have a healthy glow, haven’t had a breakout since I begun using these products and many fine lines have seemed to vanish.

The serum is something that my skin craves now and I think I might be addicted/obsessed with it.  It smells herbal, sweet and mildly grassy and I need only a drop to cover my entire face and neck after I spritz on the Anti-Aging Mist.  I recommend the entire line, but if there’s one product that is a must-have/worth-the-splurge, its the serum!

If you ask me, Rechelbacher proved exactly what he intended - that there is such a thing as “organic”, “luxury”, and “anti-aging” skin care products, and they’re pretty close to, if not perfect.

Though Summer is approaching its end, it’s definitely not over yet and for many, temps are well up into the hundreds and the sun is beating down while we all try to pack all our remaining to-dos into what’s last of the season.  While many suggest staying out of the sun between prime hours (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) for those of us who enjoy all the outdoor activities that summer brings, that can be difficult - especially with all-day beach trips, fairs, vacation or just yard work.  It’s important to remember to stay protected both from potentially harmful rays and from toxic sunscreens.

Erbaviva recently sent me their SPF 15 to try out and I’ve been using it while on vacation these past few weeks.  It is hands-down one of my favorite sunscreens.  The scent is pleasant, doesn’t turn my skin a pasty white and rubs in nicely.  What’s nice is that this can be used by adults and kids alike so there’s no need to purchase separate products for different family members. Alike conventional sunscreens which use synthetic and toxic ingredients like oxybenzone, Erbaviva uses Titanium Dioxide to coat the sun and shields the suns rays.

What’s the big deal about oxybenzone you ask?  Last year The Center For Disease Control released a study citing the potentially harmful effects of this chemical.  Just check out a portion of the statement here:

CDC: Americans Carry ‘Body Burden’ of Toxic Sunscreen Chemical
CONTACT: EWG Public Affairs, (202) 667-6982
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, March 25, 2008

WASHINGTON, March 25 – The bodies of nearly all Americans are contaminated with a sunscreen chemical that has been linked to allergies, hormone disruption, and cell damage, according to a new study from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). A companion study from the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine found that the same chemical is linked to low birth weight in baby girls whose mothers are exposed during pregnancy.  The chemical, oxybenzone, is widely used in sunscreens. Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) analysis of ingredient labels found that nearly 600 sunscreens sold in the U.S. contain oxybenzone, including products by Hawaiian Tropic, Coppertone, and Banana Boat. Although oxybenzone is most common in sunscreen, companies also use the toxic chemical in at least 567 other personal care products, including lip balm, lipstick, moisturizers and fragrance for women.
Oxybenzone was last reviewed for safety in the 1970’s but since then significant new evidence has been published on its toxicity and pervasive exposure. A recent review by the European Union found insufficient data to determine whether oxybenzone in sunscreen is safe for consumers.

“These studies are the latest in a long list of reasons the Food and Drug Administration must thoroughly review the safety of all chemicals used in sunscreens Americans use every day,” said Rebecca Sutton, a scientist with EWG. “FDA must do what it promised 30 years ago: Enact permanent, enforceable federal safety standards for sunscreens so consumers can get the best and safest sun protection.”

EWG research shows that 84 percent of 910 name-brand sunscreen products offer inadequate protection from the sun, or contain ingredients, like oxybenzone, with significant safety concerns. These products are on the market because FDA has failed to finalize sunscreen safety standards that have been under development since 1979, but has instead issued a series of delays and revisions at the request of the personal care product industry. FDA issued a new draft of the standards last October under pressure from EWG, but continues to delay finalizing the standards at the behest of the regulated industry.

EWG is a nonprofit research organization based in Washington, DC that uses the power of information to protect human health and the environment. The group’s research on oxybenzone is available online at http://www.ewg.org/node/26212.

I’m still living out of my suitcase after three and a half weeks of traveling and about a week ago the Preserve Toothbrush made it’s way into my shopping basket just before I landed in a checkout line.  This toothbrush is simple, but I like it.  The forty-five degree ergonomic handle is perfect for getting to those hard to reach places.  Available in seven colors - I picked the green color.  The handle is 100% recycled  and made party of Stonyfield Farms yogurt cups.  The cool part is that when it’s time to retire the brush (after about three months of use), it can be sent back using this postage-paid label, and it will be recycled into plastic lumber for picnic tables, boardwalks and decks.

Love a sale?  I sure do and I bought mine for a killer deal - find your own Preserve Toothbrush now for 57% off here!

Last month, Demi Moore (a.k.a. @MrsKutcher on Twitter) and Ashton Kutcher (@aplusk) attended an exclusive launch party at The Little Seed, a chic baby boutique in the hip and urban shopping area on Larchment Boulevard in LA owned by Soleil Moon Frye (actress who played “Punky Brewster“).  The event was sponsored by BDIH-certified, natural skin care pioneers Weleda (pronounced “Veleda“), a brand who’s been crafting natural, biodynamic and organic skin and body care since 1921.  The guest list included many a-listers and the purpose of it all was for The Little Seed to introduce their brand new bright-colored private label organic cotton baby/kids clothes line.

At the event, Demi confessed to a Weleda exec that she loves their Wild Rose Creamy Body Wash and I must agree, it is fabulous (in fact, it is the only body wash that I’m traveling with currently)!  It smells like REAL roses (because it is) and produces a nice foam and creamy hydration.  Check out my review here!  The generously-sized pink tube typically retails for $17.99, but I found it here for just$9.45.

Photo credit: The Little Seed blog

This past week I’ve been working in West Hollywood and just so happen to be working in the same building as the casting company for TLC’s hit TV show, LA Ink.  While you can’t just walk in and be on the hit TV show (you’ve got to have a cool story, be unique and be selected), you can however walk-in to their ‘real’ tattoo shop High Voltage Tattoo and get one anytime (though it won’t be on camera).  Though I didn’t venture in the shop (there was a long line), I did drive past the yellow building with big red letters (complete with casting crew in headsets outside on the sidewalk) and snapped some pics.

If you’re interested in ‘greening’ your after tattoo care routine (yes, you’ve got to take care of it - afterall it is a wound), look no further than your local health food store (and I found a great one near LA Ink called Erewhon - right next to The Grove).  The keys to keeping your tattoo healthy and healing well are two-fold: 1). Keep it clean and 2). Moisturize.  For both steps, you want to think “simple, gentle and effective”.  To clean, you could do what Eminem does and wash with Dr. Bronner’s Liquid Castile Soap (the ‘Unscented‘ version would be best for this purpose) and to moisturize you could slather on pure Organic Coconut Oil or the first USDA Certified Organic line designed by tattoo artists, specifically for after tattoo care, called Rose Tattoo Aftercare serum created by tattoo artists:

Rose After Tattoo Care Liquid Serum is USDA Certified Organic and comes in a spray bottle for easy and sanitary application, is 100% vegan and 99.5% organic.

Rose Tattoo After Care Body Balm is USDA Certified Organic, 100% vegan and 97% organic; designed to heal, moisturize and brighten tattoos.  Available in Rose (girly) or Lavender (manly).

Have you flipped through Lucky yet? The July issue features many green buys, including Burt’s Bees Hair Repair Shea & Grapefruit Deep Conditioner and EOS Lip Balm Smooth Sphere in Sweet Mint.  Have any of you tried these yet?  I haven’t, but they’re definitely on my list - would love your feedback!

Most of us know baking soda as an important ingredient to add to our “from scratch” recipes for cakes and cookies, but there is a secret life of baking soda that’s just as important. Last year, my mom gave me a book all about the wonders of baking soda and I was amazed to find so many uses for such an ordinary (and cheap) food item. With most of us trying to stretch our dollar a little further and finding alternatives to buying expensive products, the wealth of information within this book is well worth the money.

Starting with the history of baking soda, the book has everything from baking recipes to homemade cleaner recipes to use throughout the entire house. This book is full of ideas that you have probably never imagined could come from such an ordinary powder. I have nearly eliminated all store-bought cleaners from my home and have replaced them with unbelievably cheap and undeniably chemical-free alternatives that I can whip up in my kitchen thanks to this little book. This is truly a win-win situation for me!

Pop Quiz: Did you know that baking soda will put out a kitchen fire? Even better, your food will probably still be salvageable if it comes in contact with what you’ve got cooking!

Here are just a few of the uses for baking soda given in the book:

• Scouring Powder
• Drain Cleaner
• Automatic Dishwasher Powder
• Window Cleaner
• Wood Cleaner
• Carpet Cleaner
• Laundry Booster
• Hair Clarifying Product
• Bath Product
• Deodorant
• Contact Lens Solution
• Breath Freshener
• Antacid
• Bee Sting/Bug Bite Relief
• Burn Relief
• Cradle Cap Remedy
• Diaper Rash Neutralizer
• Arts & Crafts Ideas
• Animal Clean-Up
• Garden Uses

You’ll have to buy the book to get all of the details on how to make use baking soda in these various ways, but let me just tell you that there are many more ideas that could make your life easier, less expensive and more friendly to our environment just waiting to be used here. If you haven’t already discovered the wonders of baking soda for yourself, there’s no better time to make the switch to a non-toxic and affordable way of life with this informational book.

Alex and Ani Jewelry is becoming quite the media darling, and for good reason.  This unique brand creates pieces made from recycled material and aims to inspire the one who wears it.  Owner and Designer, Carolyn Rafaelian believes it is her calling in life to inspire others to relish what is unique and authentic about themselves.  This bohemian chic collection is made from recycled materials in the U.S., and has been spotted on many celebrities as of late:

Jessica Simpson likes to wear two sets of bangles together n stage, one gold, one silver.

Proving the pieces can be dressed up or down, Vanessa Hudgens wears Alex and Ani bangles with jeans (above) and was recently spotted at the MTV Music Awards sporting the expanding wire bangle set (below).

Seventeen Magazine just featured Miley Cyrus wearing hers to a trip to a smoothie bar.

Photo Credits: 

www.Styleholics.com

www.Seventeen.com